Delatite Dead Man's Hill Gewurtztraminer, Central Victoria, 2010

The wine of the week in today's SMH Good Living section is the 2010 Delatite Dead Man's Hill Gewurtztraminer from Central Victoria.

Huon Hooke writes:

Delatite gewurtztraminer has for years been one of Australia's best; grown and made at the Ritchie family's Mansfield vineyard, which recently took on the Vestey family as a business partner. It's a  restrained style but delivers surprising richness as well as delicacy. The floral and spicy aromas have more detail than the pungent but simple, bath-soapy styles I so often see. Refined yet intense, juicy yet clean-finishing, with terrific line and length. The farewell is a lasting impression of richness, harmony and style. Drink now to 2016, 12 per cent alcohol. 93/100

Food: Salade composee of assorted leaves, grilled scallops, lychees and avocado. Or any grilled or fried fish with hollandaise or beurre blanc.

Head Wines Head Red Shiraz Viognier, Barossa Valley, 2010

The wine of the week in today's Good Living section of the SMH is the 2010 Head Red Shiraz Viognier from Head Wines in the Barossa Valley.

Huon Hooke writes:

Alex Head, who worked in Sydney wine retailing and auctioneering previously, hit the ground running with small-quantity Barossa reds.After four vintages, he's established quite a name and is showing some established Barossa identities how to suck eggs. Entry-level Head Red delivers astonishing value. The 2010 is a modern Barossa shiraz, with a glowing purple-red colour, violet, black fruit and cool-smelling spice aromas. It is medium-bodied and proportioned elegantly, with soft tannins and a rounded shape, helped along by succulent fruit. A lovely wine. Drink now to eight years. 14 per cent alcohol. 91/100.

tFood: All mature hard cheeses, especially parmesan, pecorino, cheddar, manchego and older beaufort and gruyere styles.

Also mentioned today ...

Alkoomi Sauvignon Blanc, Frankland 2010 - bargain of the week

Heemskerk Coal River Valley Riesling, Tasmania 2010 - for the cellar

Veuve A. Devaux "D de Devaux", Champagne NV - best sparkling

Louee late Picked Nullo Mountain Riesling, Rylstone 2010 - top Aussie white

Elderton Command Shiraz, Barossa Valley 2007 - indulge yourself

Longview Red Bucket Shiraz Cabernet, Adelaide Hills 2009 - top Aussie red